First Page:

[Transcriber's Note: This play transcribed from an original manuscript.
There are pencilled notations possibly by Ms. Hurston herself. These
pencilled edits have been transcribed as [Handwritten: (text)]]

A door covered by dingy portieres upstage C. Small panel
window in side Wall L. Plain centre table with chairs drawn up
about it. Gaudy calendars on wall. Battered piano against wall
R. Kerosene lamp with reflector against wall on either side of
room.

At rise of curtain NUNKIE is at piano playing.... Others at
table with small stacks of chips before each man. TUSH HAWG is
seated at table so that he faces audience. He is expertly
riffing the cards ... looks over his shoulder and speaks to
NUNKIE.

TUSH HAWG
Come on here, Nunkie and take a hand! You're holding up the game. You
been woofin' round here about the poker you can play now do it!

NUNKIE
Yeah, I plays poker. I plays the piano and Gawd knows I plays the devil.
I'm Uncle Bob with a wooden leg![Handwritten: Last sentence crossed out
in pencil in manuscript.]

BLACK BABY
Aw, you can be had! Come on and get in the game! My
britches is cryin' for your money! Come on, don't give
the healer no trouble![Handwritten: last sentence crossed out in pencil]

NUNKIE
Soon as I play the deck I'm comin' and take you alls money! Don' rush
me.

Ace means the first time that I met you
Duece means there was nobody there but us two
Trey means the third party Charlie was his name
Four spot means the fourth time you tried that same old game
Five spot means five years you played me for a clown
Six spot means six feet of earth when the deal goes down
Now I'm holding the seven spot for each day of the week
Eight means eight hours that she Sheba ed with your Sheik
Nine spot means nine hours that I work hard every day
Ten spot means tenth of every month I brought you home my pay
The Jack is three card Charlie who played me for a goat
The Queen, that's my pretty Mama, also trying to cut my throat
The King stands for Sweet Papa Nunkie and he's goin' to wear the crown,
So be careful you all ain't broke when the deal goes down!
(He laughs X'es to table, bringing
piano stool for seat)

TUSH HAWG
Aw now, brother, two dollars for your seat before you try to sit in this
game.

NUNKIE
(Laughs sheepishly puts money
down TUSH HAWG pushes stack of chips
toward him. Bus.)
I didn't put it down because I knew you all goin' to be puttin' it right
back in my pocket.

BECKERWOOD
Aw, Y'all go ahead and play.
(to TUSH HAWG)
Deal!
(TUSH HAWG begins to deal for draw
poker. The game gets tense. SACK
DADDY is first man at TUSH's left he
throws back three cards and is dealt
three more)

SACK DADDY
My luck sure is rotten! My gal must be cheatin' on me. I ain't had a
pair since John Henry had a hammer!

BLACK BABY
(Drawing three new cards)
You might be fooling the rest with the cryin' you're doin' but I'm
squattin' for you! You're cryin' worse than cryin' Emma!

TOO SWEET
(Studying his three new cards)
(Sings)
When yo' cards gets lucky, oh Partner, you oughter be in a rollin' game.
[Handwritten: get you foot offa my chair etc]

AUNT DILSEY
(Enters through portieres stands and
looks disapprovingly)
You all oughter be ashamed of yourself, gamblin' and carryin' on like
this!

BLACK BABY
Aw, this ain't no harm, Aunt Dilsey! You go on back to bed and git your
night's rest... Continue reading book >>